Strategies for preparing TiO2/CuS nanocomposites with cauliflower-like protrusions for photocatalytic water purification

A simple and controllable method was developed to prepare TiO2/CuS nanocomposites with high photocatalytic efficiency.

Preparation of a AgCl/PbMoO4 Composite and Investigation of Its Photocatalytic Oxidative Desulfurization Performance

PbMoO₄ materials were synthesized by the glycerol and hydrothermal methods, and AgCl nanoparticles were loaded onto the surface of PbMoO₄ by using the precipitation-deposition method. Finally, a AgCl/PbMoO₄ photocatalyst was successfully prepared. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS) were used to characterize the phase composition, morphology, and light absorption characteristics of the catalyst. An n-octane solution of dibenzothiophene (DBT) was used to simulate fluid catalytic cracking to make gasoline. The photocatalytic oxidation performance of DBT under visible light was studied in terms of the type of light source as well as of the catalyst, substrate, and AgCl content. The mechanism of photocatalytic oxidation was also studied. The results show that AgCl loading causes a red shift of the absorption edge of PbMoO₄, which improves the photocatalytic activity of the material. When the AgCl loading was 25.0%, the amount of catalyst was 1.5 g/L, and the visible light irradiation time was 2.0 h, the highest desulfurization rate of DBT reached 97.0%.

Construction of a novel ternary composite of Co-doped CdSe loaded on biomass carbon spheres as visible light photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic applications

The cobalt doped cadmium selenide/biomass carbon spheres (Co-CdSe/BCS) photocatalyst is easily prepared using a transitory hydrothermal reaction lasting 40 min. The Co-CdSe/BCS photocatalyst is constructed using the in situ growth of Co-CdSe nanodots on the surfaces of the BCS. Doped Co2+ generates an electron trap, which can capture the photoinduced electrons, resulting in the efficient separation of the photoinduced electron-hole pairs. Furthermore, the introduction of carbon spheres enhances the optical absorption property and the ability for electron transport. Results of electrochemical characterization and photoluminescence spectra demonstrate that the Co-CdSe/BCS is able to efficiently separate electron-hole pairs and inhibit their recombination. The as-synthesized samples display high efficiency for the photodegradation of methylene blue dye under visible light. This study offers a new strategy to promote photocatalytic performance of the CdSe photocatalyst.

Band gap engineering of BiOI via oxygen vacancies induced by graphene for improved photocatalysis

A reduced graphene oxide–bismuth iodide oxide (rGO–BiOI) composite was prepared by a thermal reduction method.